Chapter 18

The next morning, Zyhark visited the carpenters to check on the progress of the sailing ship's construction.

Since he had decided to observe the plot's development from the shadows to verify if the information he possessed about other parts of the world matched the original story, there was no need to rush.

After briefly discussing his ideas for the ship's structural layout with the carpenters, he took the just-awakened Aqua to a forest far from Windmill Village.

The forest was dense, the air fresh, and a clear stream meandered through, teeming with unknown small fish, with smooth giant rocks scattered throughout.

Deeper into the forest, the silhouettes of large beasts lurked, waiting in the dark for an opportunity to strike.

This place was an excellent choice for training in both types of Haki!

"Zyhark, haven't we reached the bandits' hideout yet? Why are we walking so far today?"

Aqua, still groggy from sleep, yawned curiously as she surveyed the unfamiliar surroundings.

Her serious tone made Zyhark pause and look back at her carefully to confirm she wasn't joking.

They were headed in the complete opposite direction from the bandits' hideout. Had the goddess of water not realized something was off after such a long walk?!

"We're not going to the bandits today."

"Ah? Then why did you wake me up so early?"

Hearing they wouldn't be attacking the bandits' hideout with Sacred Water Creation, Aqua, who had grown accustomed to such activities, pouted in disappointment.

Zyhark stopped in a clearing near the stream, listening to the dull roars of beasts deep in the forest, and said lightly to Aqua, "We're here to train and become stronger."

He had brought Aqua along mainly because he was worried about leaving her alone in the restaurant, where she might cause trouble.

Also, watching him train in Haki could inform her, a goddess ignorant of the pirate world, about this unique combat system, facilitating future learning.

Although Zyhark didn't believe the goddess of idiocy would ever master Haki.

"Ha? Zyhark, don't you know that as a goddess with a unique and holy talent, I don't need to train in such boring ways to become stronger?"

Aqua crossed her arms under her considerable bust, blinking her clear eyes as she earnestly explained.

Just one look into those eyes was enough for Zyhark to see she was just using her so-called goddess status to excuse her laziness.

"I see. Then just find a spot to sit and watch."

Zyhark waved his hand indifferently, having little expectation for Aqua's enthusiasm.

Seeing his careless attitude, Aqua couldn't help but voice her disdain, "You woke me up early just to watch you train? Zyhark, you're a hidden pervert!"

"If you take me back to the village now, maybe I'll magnanimously forgive your excessive behavior."

Despite her arrogant tone, Aqua couldn't hide the fact that she didn't know the way back.

In truth, she wasn't directionally challenged like Zoro, who could get lost even on his own ship; she was just a bit clueless.

"Aqua, you don't know how to get back to Windmill Village, do you?" Zyhark smiled slightly.

"How could that be? Underestimating the noble Goddess of Water, I'll show you right now!"

Caught revealing her thoughts, Aqua immediately became flustered and turned towards the direction of the stream.

Following the stream was her surefire way to return to Windmill Village. Or so she firmly believed.

Just a few steps out, Zyhark's voice followed her.

"In these deep woods, not only do large beasts dwell, but you might also encounter brutal bandits who hang people from trees."

Hearing this, Aqua's steps hesitated as she trembled slightly.

"Even if you're lucky to avoid danger, getting lost could mean even a village-wide search might not find you. Remember, half a year ago, a pirate got trapped deep in the forest and was found as a cool set of bones."

Aqua, hearing Zyhark's words, turned pale with fear but bit her lip and continued forward.

There was no choice; the idol burden of being a goddess was too heavy!

"By the way, Aqua, if a Goddess of Water like you dies, do you turn into bones like humans, or do you become a puddle of dead water?" Zyhark's smile deepened.

As expected, after freezing in place for a few seconds, Aqua's overwhelming fear made her give up.

"Ah, I was about to go back, but seeing as you're so earnestly seeking knowledge, I'll generously enlighten you."

Finding an excuse for herself, the Goddess of Water bounced back to Zyhark.

"Thank you very much, Goddess Aqua. But now, I need to train," Zyhark didn't press further.

He didn't really know if a Goddess of Water would turn into bones or dead water upon death, but he was sure of one thing: her toughest part must be her mouth!

"Really, there's no helping you. Well, I'll wait a bit for you then."

Aqua casually found a stone by the river to sit on, flipping her hair aside very naturally.

Before Zyhark could speak, she suddenly widened her eyes in terror.

"Zyhark, behind you, behind you..."

A huge dark shadow covered the bright sunlight, and standing under this dark silhouette, Zyhark could clearly feel gusts of hot breath on his neck, sending chills down his spine.

With Aqua's warning, Zyhark slowly turned around.

A giant black bear over two meters tall, with its mouth full of ferocious teeth, glared at him menacingly!

"Large black bear, huh? Seems like it picked the right moment to show up. Not attacking directly, it seems it doesn't see me as a threat..."

The variety and uniqueness of animals in the world of One Piece were astonishing, with creatures several meters to dozens of meters tall, many of which exhibited anthropomorphic expressions and intentions.

Clearly, this round-eyed black bear was of that kind.

Before wishing for Aqua, Zyhark had already trained in basic combat and swordsmanship, though not for the first time facing such formidable beasts (though he ended up using a flintlock pistol).

Now, with significantly enhanced bodily defense, he was entirely unfazed.

Perhaps sensing the disdain in the "prey's" gaze, the bear roared in anger, raising its fat and thick clawed paw, slamming it down towards Zyhark!

However, Zyhark, who had anticipated its attack, didn't block or dodge. Instead, he calmly closed his eyes.

Observation Haki mainly relies on "sensing auras" for information gathering. Like Luffy's training over two years, avoiding attacks in extreme tension is the best way to train this Haki.

Following the steps learned from Garp and Shanks, Zyhark tried to keep his racing heart calm in this fraction of a second.

The sound of the wind and running water faded away, leaving only the oppressive sensation of the bear's paw cutting through the air, mercilessly brushing his cheeks.

"Now!"

Seizing the moment, Zyhark's legs burst with power, moving his body aside.

And then…

With a "thud," he was slapped away by the bear, flying several meters!

(End of Chapter)